County of San Luis Obispo

Weeds Program

What is this service?

Across California, invasive plants damage wildlands and agricultural fields by displacing native plants and wildlife, increasing wildfire and flood danger, consuming valuable water, degrading recreational opportunities, destroying productive range and timber lands, and increasing production cost of agricultural commodities. San Luis Obispo County is not immune to the introduction and establishment of unwanted plants.

The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures' Weed Management Program conducts surveillance throughout the county to search for new pest plants and for signs of spread of existing populations of noxious weed species that are currently managed. Once plants are found, physical removal, herbicide treatments, and biological control are the tools used to mitigate the spread of invasive pest plants.

Residents and visitors can help reduce the spread of invasive weeds by purchasing hay and straw from local sources, cleaning footwear, camping gear and tires after hiking or biking, and informing the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures of unusual plants.